Reintroduction of Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in the Lower Ganga River, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India

Abstract

The Critically Endangered Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), native to the Indian Subcontinent, is the sole surviving
species of a once-diverse genus. Its population has declined by over 80% in the past two centuries due to habitat
loss from water impoundment, sand mining, hunting, and intensive fishing. Only about 650 adult gharials remain
in the wild, primarily in isolated stretches of the Ganga, Mahanadi, and Brahmaputra River Systems. A small, poorly
documented population also exists in West Bengal. Focusing on conservation efforts to protect Gharials and their
riverine ecosystem in the lower Ganga basin is urgent, especially in West Bengal. Therefore, a species-reintroduction
program has been initiated by the West Bengal Forest Directorate to release captive-bred Gharials into suitable habitats.
The goal of this program is to enhance the likelihood of long-term survival of the Gharials in the lower Ganga Basin.
As part of this project, 37 young Gharials were released in February 2024 into the Ganga River in the Murshidabad
District of West Bengal, India. The release was performed following established habitat assessment protocols, and
recommendations for reintroducing the species. The progress of the released Gharials is being monitored, and local
riparian communities are involved to ensure the long-term conservation of the Gharials. The released Gharials are acclimating
to their new environment and are gradually spreading throughout the natural riverine habitat. Unfortunately,
three Gharials became entangled in ghost nets and were lost within the first 15 days. Since then, the ghost nets have
been removed from the river, and no further instances of Gharial mortality have been recorded.